. >>> the economy took an urn expected turn. it shrank for the first time since the great recession. >> reporter: the headline may be disappointing, but the underlying economy was showing renewed strength at the end of last year. consumer spending, which drives 2/3 of the economy was up 2.2%. home building soared more than 15%. and it contributed to economic growth in 2012 for the first time in six years. only government spending cuts on defense caused overall economic growth to flat-line. >> the fiscal tightening is taking a toll. it took a toll on growth in 2012. it will take a toll again in 2013. >> reporter: but in the trade channels of the u.s. economy, the tide appears to be turning. >> i think it's getting better. things are definitely getting better. >> reporter: robert landry is chief commercial officer at portland of new orleans. >> do you think of the port as a leading indicator? >> we are. we see a lot of things before it hits the economy. when people are making decisions, they're making them months in afrd vance to